I finally did it.
Everything was right for this trip. Got my
campsite, got my gear, got good weather.
A full backpacking adventure. Loaded up my pack with
hammock, food, water, clothes, camera, sleeping gear and other stuff. My
pack was about 35 pounds when I left. A little heavier than I would like but it
would be a good test.
Slipped out of work around 3:30. Tracy and Mackenzie
dropped my car off in Greenbush and then took me back to Mauthe Lake.
Where the last bit of hiking and camping took place.
Hit the trail at 4:20 (yea 4:20) and off I went to get
to the shelter # 3 which I had a permit for the night. This section of trail
was mostly forest and the climbs weren't too bad. Found the connector
trail to the campsite Jim and I had.
I expected about 6 miles to the shelter. When I
got to the shelter I found there was a 3/4 mile connector from the actual trail
to the shelter. That added some extra time to my hike. When I did
arrive it was about 6:30. Sun was still shining, so I unpacked and started
looking for a suitable hanging site.
Got the hammock hung. Yes hammock camping is
huge now and so much better than a tent for solo trips. Light, extremely
comfortable. Doubles as a chair (fully enclosed w bug net etc.).
Anyway time to grub. I have been buying all
kinds of dehydrated and camp type food when it’s on sale. Trying all
kinds of things so I know what to get and what to avoid in the future.
Tonight was Chicken Gumbo by Backpackers Pantry.
Mini food review:
Large chunks of okra, corn and peppers. 2 1/2
cups of boiling water and 12 minutes later it was done. Good consistency, could
be a tad spicier. Rice is cooked well and chicken is also tasty.
4/5 would buy again.
I ate the whole (2 servings) package and had some of a
large artisanal candy bar I brought.
I started looking for some firewood, but there was not
much around. A lot was picked over or punky/rotten. I managed to get a
small fire going for about an hour or so. Being a full moon I really hoped it
would be nice to see. However it was rising in the East and never made it
to the clearing I had before I went to bed. It did eventually come up and
lit my bed up so much I could read by moonlight. By then I was too tired to
care. I just listened to the owls calling back and forth and the occasional
scurrying noises in the forest. You have to understand these are remote
shelters. Not large public campsites. I had the entire forest, as
it seemed, to myself.
The next morning I woke up at 5:40 and said "oh
hell no!" flipped around and promptly fell asleep for 2 more hours!
I got up and thought about how to repack for the day.
Brought my pack down to the shelter. By the way that shelter by the
way is not very nice. Dirt floor, graffiti a general sketchy vibe in
general. Then I packed up the hammock. When done with that I set up
for breakfast. A little Medaglia D'oro instant espresso and some airline
cookies. I then busted out some ho-made instant oatmeal. This contained; freeze dried
strawberries, chia seeds and oatmeal with a bit o brown sugar and powdered
milk. Jim had some of this concoction a few weeks ago and I even tweaked it
more. Pretty good and hearty for sure.
My intent was to be on the trail by 9. Not being
in any hurry I finally broke camp at 9:30. No issues with contacts or
soap or anything.
I humped it back to the trail connector and headed for
the next waypoint - Butler Lake. This section of trail was rather mild
and made it easier to warm up under load. Like an old car.
I reached Butler Lake.
Nice vista of the lake below. I
need to check this out to kayak and fish someday. I filled up with water at the
hand pump at Butler Lake. I was carrying over a gallon when I started
this trip. Keeping hydrated on the trail and having water for meals it goes
quickly. It’s also one of the heaviest items in my pack. You have to walk
a fine line between heavy and not having enough. I did not bring a filter
with me so I had to use the sources like pumps, instead of the streams for my
water. It is one of the main things to plan around when doing these long
distance hikes.
Back on the trail, the next stop would be lunch at
shelter 4. I did not have a permit, but I wasn't staying overnight
either.
In the almost 80 miles of hiking this trail this year I have seen
1 deer. Well in this section, I spooked
a few this time and only saw tails and heard the crashing, running away from
me. About 3 seconds later, a huge bird
jumps off the forest floor and flies out of the canopy. It all happened so fast, I was looking for
deer and then this out the corner of my eye.
Not a turkey, because I had never seen one take flight almost vertical
like this. It was big enough to be an eagle, but I saw no white plumage. Perhaps a large owl? My guess is a turkey
vulture.
I reached shelter 4 around 12:15. This is a much
nicer place. Concrete floor and less ‘sketch’. These places also have outhouses
so it’s not completely roughing it. Not that I need one.
I bust off the pack, the shirt, the shoes and get down
to grubbing on some jerky, trail mix and that candy bar. I had a penne
pasta dehydrated meal if I wanted to make it, but the temps were in the mid
80's and I really did not want to make a hot lunch. I just needed to cool off a
bit. 7 miles down and the trail had picked up quite a bit. Largest climb
was on my way here. Less than 5 miles to go.
I head out before 1:00 and now it's getting warm.
The trail is less forest and a lot of field. I'm sweating, the
mosquitos woke up and really like my elbows for some reason. I spray some
bug juice on and have to pull my buff up over my ears in some places.
I pass shelter 5, not going to look at it because at
this point they are all about the same. Seems woodsier, and it has a deep
kettle near it. Maybe explore more next time? At this point I am tired and hot
and beginning to think that I was a bit ambitious in my first run like this.
Another trail head and another well pump to fill up.
This one is not nearly as nice as the last. Looks like rust, tastes like
rust. But it’s wet so I drink and I am able to re soak my buff, which is now a
neck gaiter. Aids in cooling and bug fighting. The sign says I am close.
10.4 miles down, only one mile to go.
Next up is the Greenbush picnic area. I come
here to ride the mountain bike trails here occasionally. These trails are
brutal compared to others I ride. I get to walk around the bike trails as
they don't share paths. I hear them taunting me. “I will be back for you”
I whisper. Actually, it’s more like a talking to. I found myself talking out
loud to no one in particular on both days. Sometimes even surprising me. Am I
talking (or is it thinking?) out loud? Ha, yes I am. As long as I don't
talk in the third person or have full conversations with myself, I guess.
A few more small hills and I can see the parking lot
in sight. My step may have picked up a bit. The car never looked so good. I dump my pack, get my boots off, take my
socks off, change shirts and take a deep breath. I did it. Almost 12 miles in a
bit over 5 hours including a few rest spots.
Including the day before 18 mile in total. Feeling confident.
